Self-marriage

Category: social

What? Women around the world from Japan to the U.S. are marrying themselves in ceremonies to celebrate their singledom. As part of a new trend being dubbed “sologamy”, these women, typically in their 30s, are donning white dresses, throwing parties and inviting their friends to witness themselves make vows of love – to themselves.

So what? In industrialized countries there is an unprecedented number of single women in their 30s with the freedom to chart their own lives. Self-marriage may be a rebellion against the subtle social stigma that persists regarding single women. It could also be a way to mark a rite of passage into adulthood that in Western societies has traditionally been marked by marriage. As more people choose to live single, ceremonies and rituals to reinforce the legitimacy of this choice may continue to emerge.